The Challenges and Responsibilities of Cyber Parenting in Today’s World
The Internet Age has redefined all aspects of our daily lives and parenting is no different.
Children today are not just born, they are born into a world dominated by mobile phones. Before they even learn to turn over, crawl, or speak; they become friends with mobile devices and the internet. Instead of hearing traditional stories and lullabies from grandparents or parents, they hear them on smartphones instead.
Gradually, children not only form friendships with these devices but also become dependent on them and the internet. Whether it is drawing a picture, writing an essay, solving math problems, conducting a science experiment, or writing a story, they turn to “Uncle Google” for help. Slowly, the idea that they can, or should, do things without Google fades away because the notion of a world without mobile devices never takes root in their minds, thanks to their constant exposure from a young age. This reality of our children, who are growing up in today’s environment, makes the challenges faced by parents all the more significant and complex. And hence, the concept of cyber parenting.
What is Cyber Parenting?
Cyber parenting involves raising children to live a conscious, balanced, and enriched life alongside technology.
Effectively, this means:
– Explaining the dangers of the internet to children.
– Helping them reduce excessive screen time.
– Showing them that the offline world is as beautiful and engaging as the online world.
– Ensuring they experience offline activities.
– Being vigilant so that children do not fall into any addiction related to gaming or the internet.
Effective cyber parenting requires parents to be aware, communicative, and understanding of their children’s issues without merely criticizing them.
Challenges of Cyber Parenting
As interesting as the concept is, turning it into practice requires parents to overcome certain challenges.
No Historical Context
Parents usually learn parenting from their experiences and the society around them. However, parents lack previous generations’ experiences with cyber parenting. Our parents and grandparents never had to deal with these issues, leaving us without a clear roadmap. There is no curriculum on what to do and what to avoid available for previous generations. We are creating this curriculum for future generations, making our journey more complex and challenging.
Parents’ Screen Time
Before worrying about children’s screen time, parents need to be mindful of their own screen time. Children often emulate their parents’ behaviour. Children look up to their parents as role models, and the behaviour and habits of parents, including grandparents, influence them.
If parents and even grandparents are constantly on their devices, it becomes difficult to ask children to reduce their screen time. Therefore, parents need to model the behaviour they wish to see in their children.
Peer Pressure and Stress
The competition in lifestyle doesn’t just affect children; parents also compete with each other over technology. Decisions like how expensive a mobile phone or gaming gadget to buy for their children often arise from this competition, which can be harmful to the children. Parents often compete with each other over technology, which can negatively impact children. Decisions about how expensive a mobile phone or gaming gadget to buy for children should be based on necessity and age-appropriateness, not peer pressure.
Key Points to Remember in Cyber Parenting
The challenges, although significant, are not completely impossible to overcome. There are some basic steps we can take in this regard.
Provide Age-Appropriate Gadgets
Giving children gadgets suitable for their age is crucial. Parents should be mindful of not letting the cyber world rob children of their childhood. The timing and nature of the technology introduced to them should be carefully considered.
Set Clear Rules for Smart Phone Use
Many parents provided their children with mobile devices during the COVID-19 pandemic, increasing the prevalence and use of mobile phones among young children. Establishing rules when giving phones and ensuring these rules are strictly followed is essential in such a scenario. Some rules should apply to the entire family, like no phones during meals or before bedtime, to encourage adherence.
Discuss Online Boundaries
It is vital to discuss boundaries with children when it comes to online behaviour. Children should be aware of numerous temptations and dangerous trends online, and know how to safeguard themselves. Setting personal boundaries should be part of the conversation when giving them a phone.
Talk About Consent
Discussing consent with children is crucial. Parents should seek their children’s permission before sharing their photos on social media. This helps children understand the importance of consent and be alert to violations of their privacy.
Promote Positive and Balanced Use
Consistent conversations with your children about using mobile phones positively, appropriately, and in a balanced way, is necessary. Parents need to have friendly, understanding conversations instead of giving constant instructions and advice, making children more receptive than rebellious towards their guidance.
Educate Children About Online Dangers
Children need to be aware of the dangers that lurk in the online world. They should know what to do and what to avoid. As cyber criminals can reach children more easily than we can imagine, children need to be educated about the potential harms of the internet.
In a world where technology is omnipresent, cyber parenting is more critical than ever. Parents need to navigate this new territory with awareness, communication, and a balanced approach to ensure their children grow up as healthy, informed, and well-adjusted to both online and offline worlds.
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» Mukta Chaitanya
The writer is a researcher specializing in the interrelationship between humans and technology and the co-founder of Cyber Maitra.